Australia started the day on 25-0. After Peter Siddle's heroics on Day 1, England would be desperate to make an early breakthrough. Alas it was not to be as the impressive opening combination of Watson and Katich made serene progress early on. England thought they had their first wicket when Katcih was given out LBW to Anderson. However when the decision was reviewed and eventually overturned, you sensed it was not going to be England's day.
The 21 year old Steven Finn could not quite find the right length and was punished by Watson whenever he over pitched. The Australian commentators were particularly harsh on the young lad, in addition to Graeme Swann (quite mystifyingly on the basis of 4 overs). With the score on 78, England had a big shout for LBW against Watson. It wasn't given. With Andrew Strauss desperate for a wicket he decided to review the decision... to no avail. Fortunately for England they got the vital breakthrough the very next ball. Watson edging to Strauss at slip from the very impressive Jimmy Anderson.
This breakthrough gave England some hope going into the lunch interval. It definitely seemed to energize them after it. When Ricky Ponting was caught by Matt Prior trying to glance a ball down the leg-side (again from Anderson) you could sense that England were right back in the game. Australia's suspect middle order was now exposed and with the England bowlers on the hunt, it was going to be difficult for the Australian batsmen. So it proved, as Anderson gave Clarke a real working over. This spell from Anderson shows how much he has improved in the last couple of years. He no longer relies purely on swing, he found minimal movement today and yet he was still a real handful thanks to his probing areas.
Whilst all the attention was focused on how Clarke would survive against Anderson. Katich surprised everyone by chipping a full pitched delivery from Finn straight back to the bowler. It was a brilliant catch from the 6 feet 8 inch bowler as he flung himself low to the ground to take the vital wicket of the obdurate opener.
This wicket brought the under pressure Mike Hussey to the crease. He almost went first ball as he edged to second slip. Fortunately the Gods of fate were shining on him as the ball fell short of a diving Graeme Swann. From this moment on however, Hussey looked in supreme form. A completely different batsmen from the man who has struggled through the last 2 years.
At the other end Anderson was still tormenting Michael Clarke. He certainly seemed to be restricted and one must wonder whether his back problem was hampering his batting. To his credit, he did manage to survive Anderson's spell. Somehow. He must have been relieved when Graeme Swann was brought on to bowl his first proper spell of the innings (not many international batsmen will have felt that feeling over the last 2 years).
In the end, Clarke never found his touch and he departed trying to pull Finn but only succeeded in edging to Prior. His 50 ball stay produced only 9 runs and his struggles would have worried the Australian selectors. With Marcus North striding out, England had their tails up. North is a terrible starter and with Swann bowling to him (Swann loves bowling to lefties) his demise was inevitable. The end came as he tried a defensive prod which went straight to the safe hands of Paul Collingwood at slip.
With Australia 143-5 England must have sensed the possibility of a first innings lead. A prospect which looked almost impossible shortly before lunch. The only worrying aspect for England was the presence of Hussey. He was in imperious form having taken Swann apart in his first few overs.
Despite Brad Haddin being unusually subdued he provided staunch support for Hussey as he went about his business. England bowled reasonably well to the pair but they remained resolute and ended the day on 220-5. There was a tinge of disappointment at the final score line but I'm sure England would have taken it if offered at the start of the day.
With Australia still 40 runs behind. England will be hoping to make a couple of early breakthroughs with the new ball and get into the tail early. My feeling is that if Australia get more than 50 runs ahead England will be struggling. Whatever Australia do get, it is essential that England bat well in the second innings. Time is not going to be a problem in this game so England should just look to bat for as long as possible whilst making sure to keep the score ticking over.
Another top day of Ashes cricket and I'm sure tomorrow will provide the same.
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